1/6/01Hi all, Singapore City - just that - a city. As we imagine big cities, such as New York or Tokyo, its culture has almost entirely been swallowed up by big business or carefully hidden behind twelve dollar admission fees. Even the original rain forest that once covered all Singapore is now a closely guarded four hectare greenhouse within the Botanical Gardens.
of which, we went to see the Orchidarium and it appears that atleast a little English culture has taken root there. The ''Diana Princess of Wales'' orchid and the orchid ''Elizabeth II'' and even (I kid you not) the orchid ''Margaret Thatcher'' (these were rather barren in appearance - pun intended). And to prove that indeed money, or atleast credit can buy everything, there was even an orchid, ''American Express''.
3/6/01 Well, we've arrived in Bali and are staying in a place called Kuta. The guidebook was right - touts and hawkers consist of over half the indigenous population and even the occasional tourist. We were approached thirty five times in forty five minutes forcing us to retreat to the safety of our hotel pool and bar. Taking a tour tomorrow to see a volcano, paddy fields and various other sites towards the centre of the island.
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